scooter46 - Posted - 02/11/2012:  13:21:04

I just removed and reinstalled the skin head should the tension hoop be even with the head? The head is real tight set a drum dial on it and it reads from 95 to 98 and the hoop "in most places" is less then 1/8 inch but right at the base of the neck it's a little over 1/8 inch. should I wet the skin head and pull it down a little more. Larry

Edited by - scooter46 on 02/11/2012 13:53:45

Arthur Hatfield - Posted - 02/11/2012:  13:41:50

If your strings touch it when you fret them at the last fret its too high otherwise doesn't matter just a looks thing as to how high or low it is. 

jbalch - Posted - 02/11/2012:  13:57:34

quote:

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Originally posted by Arthur Hatfield

If your strings touch it when you fret them at the last fret its too high otherwise doesn't matter just a looks thing as to how high or low it is. 

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 I agree .  I'm linking this to the hide heads group. banjohangout.org/group/hideheads

tdennis - Posted - 02/11/2012:  14:17:47

Your head looks OK, but the hoop should be even w/ the neck.  (It could be the angle of the photos), but the neck looks slightly askew, & tilted  in relation to the pot., & hoop,  it should match up evenly. 

kmwaters - Posted - 02/12/2012:  08:22:26

Well it's clear that Arthur certainly knows.  But the other observation on the photos that something may not be lined up properly could be an issue.  The end of the neck has to be "straight" into the pot of course, so if the center of the neck is not the closest point to the hoop, then it's not centered on the pot.  The other thing I look for is the evenness of the head as I look around the complete circle.  If I can see more of the inside of the hoop somewhere, then I see if I can snug down the head in that spot.  If I am already pretty tight in that spot and don't want to over torque, then I loosen all and start over.  Got to go in those little increments of 1/4 to 1/2 turn as you work your way around, repeating the circle as needed.  Then if you eyeball the head and look at the inside of the hoop you should be able to make it pretty even all the way around.  Now it's tight and even.